Download - An Emerging Copper Producer in Montana, USA
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An Emerging Copper Producer in
Montana, USA
Sandfire Resources America IncCorporate Overview
March 1, 2020
*Picture curtesy of Sandfire Resources Ltd.’s Degrussa Mine
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Important Information and Disclaimer
Technical Information: Erik Ronald, Principal Resource Geology Consultant of SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. and an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects, reviewed, approved, and verified the contents of this presentation. Please see the technical report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources, Black Butte
Copper Project, White Sulphur Springs MT, USA” dated October 15, 2019 (the “Technical Report”), which is available on SEDAR, for more information. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do
not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred Mineral Resources have a high degree of uncertainty as to their economic and technical feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred
Mineral Resources can be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources.
Forward-Looking Statements: This presentation by Sandfire Resources America Inc. (“SRA” or the “Company”) includes certain disclosure which constitutes “forward-looking information” or “forward-
looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking statements are often identified by words such
as: expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, assumes, potential, or will, would, may, could or should.
These forward-looking statements include statements regarding: plans and intentions with respect to exploration and development of the Black Butte Copper Project, including timelines, anticipated results,
the Company’s operations and financial condition in future periods, anticipated completion of feasibility and other studies and their impact on project economics and scope, timing of approvals and permitting
and other milestones; operations and mine design, including the design of the tailings facility; the surface footprint of the Black Butte Copper Project and its use future use after mining operations and
reclamation; future demand for copper; and sufficiency of funding to complete planned activities. Estimates of mineral resources are also forward-looking statements in that they involve estimates of the
mineralization that would be encountered, based on interpretation of drilling results and certain assumptions, if a deposit were developed and mined.
In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including those set out in the Technical Report, that the
Company is able to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals and permits and any required financing to complete the Company's planned activities, that actual costs of planned activities will
be consistent with management’s expectations, that the Company is able to procure equipment and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis, that actual results of exploration activities are
consistent with management's expectations, that the proposed mine plan and recoveries will be achieved, that capital costs and sustaining costs will be as estimated, that the assumptions underlying mineral
resources estimates are valid and that no unforeseen accident, fire, ground instability, flooding, labor disruption, equipment failure, metallurgical, environmental or other events that could delay or increase the
cost of development will occur.
However, the forward looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such
forward-looking statements, including any of the assumptions and factors set out above or in the Technical Report proving to be invalid or varied, actual results of the Company's exploration activities being
different than those expected by management, uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of mineral resources, that the future price of copper will
decline, the need for cooperation of government agencies, native groups and other stakeholders in the development of the Black Butte Copper Project, risks related to mineral properties being subject to prior
unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and other defects in title, risks of operations such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, fire, ground instability, flooding, labor disruption, equipment failure,
adverse metallurgical or environmental events, inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance, bad weather, potential litigation, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements,
unanticipated variations in geological structures, grades or recovery rates, unexpected cost increases, fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates, delays in obtaining or inability to obtain
required government or other regulatory approvals or permits or required financing, and the inability to procure equipment and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis. Readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
This presentation is not, and is not intended to be, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security of the Company in any jurisdiction. This presentation is not an offering memorandum.
TSX.V:SFR | OTCQB:SRAFF | www.sandfireamerica.com
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A 21st Century Copper Project – Presentation Outline
►Black Butte Copper (BBC) Project Overview• SRA is building a showcase underground high-grade copper mine on privately owned lands and minerals in Montana.
►Advanced Permitting• BBC is near the end of the permitting process. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is completing a legal
review of the EIS while the MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is completing its preliminary review of water rights modification and approval before issuing a Record of Decision(RoD). We expect a RoD by the end Q1, 2020.
►Feasibility Study Underway• Feasibility study based on Johnny Lee Deposit only and designed to deliver 1.2M tonne per annum underground mine. Targeted
completion after the RoD in Q2 of 2020.
►Environmental Excellence• SRA embraces environmental responsibility, innovation leadership and implementation of complete environmental solutions.
►Engaging Our Communities• SRA is focused on creating sustainable value for all our stakeholders through extensive outreach programs and proactively
engaging and supporting our local community.
►Compelling Copper Dynamics• The supply of copper, a key metal for global economic growth and delivering improved living conditions and implementing ‘green’
energy solutions, will struggle to meet future demand.
►Evolving Corporate Mission• SRA is growing rapidly from an explorer to a developer and producer, while retaining significant upside for future exploration.
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Black Butte Underground Copper Project
►Doing it right from the beginning• Design minimizes environmental impact, protects all water resources, and
water rights mitigation meets Montana’s strong ‘non-degradation’ water standards
• Project has a small surface footprint that fully returns to pre-mining agricultural use after operations and reclamation
• Engaging the community and other stakeholders to maintain a social license
►Location advantage• 27km (17 miles) north of the city of White Sulphur Springs in central Montana
• White Sulphur Springs is supportive and is an ideal mine workforce base.
• Existing sealed road from White Sulphur Springs to site
• Accessible rail-heads located nearby at Townsend and Livingston with direct access to smelters/ports via rail
• Fergus Electric is surveying a 60km (37 mile) power transmission route
• Fiber optics in place throughout local community and the mine site.
An advanced, high quality copper project in a stable jurisdiction
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Black Butte Underground Copper Project
►Project advantage
• One of the highest copper grade undeveloped projects in the world at 2.9% Cu –LCZ (Lower Copper Zone) has a copper grade of 6.8%*
• Permitting the Johnny Lee Deposit, a Measured and Indicated Undiluted Resource of 10.9 million tonnes at 2.9% Cu
• Relatively shallow underground mine accessed by a decline – UCZ (Upper Copper Zone) is 60-200 metres (150 to 600 feet) deep and the LCZ is 300-500 metres (900 to 1500 feet) deep
• Conventional crush-grind-froth flotation operation
• Paste back-fill with remaining tailings dewatered and stored in double-lined cemented tailings facility
• Feasibility study commenced with metallurgical test work underway and study completion expected Q2 2020
• Exploration upside with Lowry deposit just 2km from the mine entrance which requires additional permitting
The newest development in the highly mineralized Belt Basin
UCZ – Upper Copper Zone of the Johnny Lee deposit LCZ – Lower Copper Zone of the Johnny Lee deposit* 2019 NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources, Black Butte Copper Project, White Sulphur Springs MT, USA available on SEDAR.com
Total Measured and Indicated Undiluted Mineral Resource:
10.9 million tonnes at 2.9% Cu
for 310,900t of contained copper*
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Johnny Lee Deposit Cross Section
Johnny Lee Upper Zone9.7 Mt @ 2.4% Cu Measured &
Indicated
2.2 Mt @ 2.2% Cu Inferred
Cf
Yc
Yc
Yc
Yne
Yne
Xm
Xm
Yn
Johnny Lee Lower
Zone1.2 Mt @ 6.8% Cu Measured
and Indicated
0.5 Mt @ 6.3% Cu Inferred
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Environmental Excellence
►Going Above and Beyond
• Cemented Tailings Facility – it will be the first large scale cemented tailings storage facility.
• Results in dry, hard mass of cemented tailings encapsulated in a double layer of 100-mil liner and buried more than 1.5 metres (5 feet) underground.
• Paste Backfill of tailings for entire deposit.
• Reverse Osmosis water treatment engineered to meet or exceed Montana’s non-degradation water discharge standards. No perpetual water treatment needed beyond reclamation.
• Vent fans placed underground to limit noise.
• No waste rock piles left on surface – all waste rock stored in Cemented Tailings Facility or returned underground.
• 100% return to current agricultural uses.
• Concentrate transport in sealed containers.
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Advanced Permitting
►The project leases mining rights on privately owned ranch land
►The Montana DEQ administers all mine related environmental permitting
►Mine Operating Permit Application (MOP) deemed “complete and compliant” by the Montana DEQ in August of 2017
►In 2017, the Montana DEQ engaged an independent group to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
►The Draft EIS was published in March 2019 and underwent a 60-day public comment process
►The public comment period considered the Draft EIS, the Water Quality and Air Quality draft permits.
►The Record of Decision will provide the Company with all the approvals and permits needed to allow mine construction to commence and is expected by end of Q1 2020.
►The Montana DNRC is finalizing preliminary determination of water right modifications
►U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has issued the wetlands 404 permit which is the only federally required permit
Our design robustly meets and exceeds some of the strictest environmental requirements for mining worldwide. We believe that responsible modern mining includes environmental excellence.
This will be the first NEW mine approved in Montana in a generation
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Feasibility Study and Operations
►The Feasibility Study design criteria use the MOP as an environmental framework to design a clean, safe modern mine and processing plant.
• Mine entrances and processing plant are positioned to protect the integrity of Sheep Creek and all wetlands
• The underground mine will have a portal access and minimal surface infrastructure (i.e. underground primary fans)
• Drift-and-fill mining method will employ cemented paste fill to eliminate subsidence
• Operation will utilize a conventional crush-grind-froth flotation processing circuit
• Sealed containers will be used for transporting concentrate to smelters, removing dust generation points during transit
• Mine water used for process water is then treated in a reverse osmosis (RO) plant prior to being released in underground infiltration galleries to the same ground water system
• All surface facilities will be removed and land rehabilitated for pre-mining use at mine closure – Cemented Tailings Facility to be sealed in double-lining and rehabilitated.
• No perpetual water treatment is required
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Project Timeline
Johnny Lee discovery hole drilled in 1985
Tintina
Resources Inc
formed (2009)
Landholder
agreements
signed
Baseline
water testing
commenced
2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
Sandfire
Resources Ltd
investment
Aquatic
monitoring
commenced
Submitted
MoP
application
MoP deemed
Complete &
Compliant
Draft
Operating
Permit issued
404 Wetlands
federal permit
issued
Draft EIS
published
Water right
modification
submitted
Stewardship
Council
established
Name change
to Sandfire
Resources
America Inc
HRMIP
agreement
signed
Final EIS,
water right
modification
Preliminary
Determination,
and RoD
expected Q1
2020
Next Steps*:
• Pre-construction surface earthworks to commence mid-2020
• Project finance in place H2 2020
• Underground mine construction to commence Winter 2020
• Mill construction to commence H1 2021
• Mill commissioning and first shipments in late 2022
Feasibility
Study
commenced
Updated
Resource
issued
Feasibility
Study
publication
expected
after RoD
*- Next steps subject to approval timing, funding and potential legal challenges
HRMIP – Hard Rock Mining Impact Plan
Black Butte
PEA
published
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► Each megawatt of wind power capacity uses an average of 3.6 tonnes of copper. ExxonMobil estimate that 3,500 TWh of delivered electricity will come from wind energy by 2040.
► Copper.org estimate that by 2027 copper demand stemming from electric vehicles is expected to increase by 1.7 million tonnes annually or 55 Black Buttes
“To meet the government 2030 emission targets, copper needs to be priced at $8 800 per tonne…. the Greta Scenario of complete decarbonisation by 2025 requires prices to rise to $20 000/t or even higher.” Paul Gait, Bernstein Research, October 2019
Copper – The Original Green Metal
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Earning Our Social License by Engaging Our Communities
►Built a new outreach model and earned our social license reputation for being transparent and open
►Formed the Meagher County Stewardship Council to ensure a net positive outcome for the local area socially, environmentally and economically
►Provide monthly tours and giving presentations statewide upon request
►Host a transparency library on our website
►Maintain outreach through an active social media presence
►Volunteer in the community and sponsor local/statewide events
Follow us!
Facebook: @blackbuttecopper
Instagram: blackbuttecopper
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Black Butte Copper – Cutting Edge
►Innovation at its Best
• Building a showcase underground copper mine in Montana with state-of-the-art technology
►Advanced Permitting
• Completing the final phase of permitting with the Final EIS and Preliminary Water Rights modification imminent
►Feasibility Study Underway
• Scheduled for completion in Q2 2020
►Environmental Excellence
• Embracing accountability and being responsible custodians of our environment
►Engaging Our Communities
• Creating a new model for sustainable value for all our stakeholders
►Copper remains dynamic
• Copper is a metal for modern life where supply is going to struggle to meet demand
Sandfire Resources America Inc.-Transitioning from innovative explorer/permittor to first-class developer/producer
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►Sandfire Resources America Inc. wholly owns Tintina Montana Inc., which holds all the rights/agreements for the Black Butte underground copper project
►Sandfire is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker SFR – the stock is also traded on the OTC market in the US under the ticker SRAFF
• Share as of December 31, 2019
• 821.1 million shares on issue.
• 3.2 million options
• 85.32% owned by Sandfire Resources L. (ASX:SFR).
• Cash at December 31, 2019 of C$2.1 million
• 2019 share price range $C0.06-0.41. Current price is $C0.255
Corporate Overview
DIRECTORS
Matt Fitzgerald – Chairman
►Finance Background►Perth, Australia
Rob Scargill – CEO
►Mining Engineer►White Sulphur Springs, Montana
Alan Joscelyn
►Environmental Legal Background►Helena, Montana
Chris Hedrich
►Finance Background►White Sulphur Springs, Montana
Jason Grace
►Geology/Engineer Background►Perth, Australia
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Contact Details: Sandfire Resources America Inc. / Black Butte Copper17 E Main St., White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645Office: 406.547.3466
THANK YOU!
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Category Tonnes (millions) Cu% Total Metal (Metric Tonnes)
Measured 1.4 2.6% 36.2
Indicated 8.3 2.3% 191.3
Measured and Indicated 9.7 2.4% 227.5Inferred 2.2 2.2% 49.5
Category Tonnes (millions) Cu% Total Metal (Metric Tonnes)
Measured 0.6 5.7% 32.9
Indicated 0.6 7.9% 50.5
Measured and Indicated 1.2 6.8% 83.4Inferred 0.5 6.3% 30.3
Category Tonnes (millions) Cu% Total Metal (Metric Tonnes)
Measured 2.0 3.5% 69.1
Indicated 8.9 2.7% 241.8
Measured and Indicated 10.9 2.9% 310.9Inferred 2.7 3.0% 79.7
Johnny Lee Upper Copper Zone
For more information see “NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources, Black Butte Copper Project White Sulphur Springs, MT, USA” dated October 15th, 2019.
• The effective date for this Mineral Resource is October 15, 2019. All significant figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Copper assay values were capped where appropriate.• Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred Mineral Resources have a high degree of uncertainty as to their economic and technical feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resources can be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources.• Metallurgical recovery of copper has been estimated on a block basis in the Upper Copper Zone, averaging 77.4%, with a consistent 94.0% Cu recovery applied to the Lower Copper Zone;• To demonstrate reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction of Mineral Resources, a cut-off grade of 1.00% copper based on metal recoverability assumptions, long-term copper price assumptions of $3.20/lb, mining costs, processing costs, General & Administrative costs totaling $71/t.• There are no known legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resources other than those outlined in the Management Discussion and Analyses of the June 2019 Company Quarterly Report. All Mineral Resources are located within land currently under control or lease to SandfireResources America Inc.
Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone
Combined Johnny Lee Upper and Lower Zones
2019 Resource Update, In-situ, Undiluted